A RUNAWAY vulture spent weeks exploring the width of England after escaping from his home in Northamptonshire and turning up in Peter Tavy.

The large bird of prey, named Jackson, absconded while flying at a falconry centre in Northamptonshire and was found four weeks later by West Country Falconry owner David Buncle.

Jackson had been spotted up and down the country, first in Essex sat on top of an abattoir, then in Paignton and various other locations along the way.

A farmer's wife spotted Jackson on the roof of a house in Peter Tavy and called David to see if he was missing a bird.

David said: 'There had been a lot of press coverage about the vulture and all the time I thought, "I'll catch that bird". Then he turned up in Peter Tavy and I tempted him down with food.

'He was quite reluctant and shy at first. He wasn't that hungry because I think people were giving him food along the way. Because he attracted so much attention, well meaning people tried to catch him but ended up spooking him.

'The owner was heartbroken that he was lost. My wife phoned the owner and she was so excited — she burst into tears.'

David said the owner , Tracey Murray, left Northamptonshire to drive down to collect Jackson at 1.30 in the morning.

Jackson is now safely back home with his owner in Northamptonshire, recovering after his long adventure.